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1922 - 

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THE 
PERFECT GIFT 

BY 
JEANNE DuVAL 




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HE PERFECT 
...GIFT... 

/^^ JEANNE DuVAL. 



THE NORMAN, REMINGTON CO. 

PUBLISHERS 

BALTIMORE 

1922 






COPYRIGHT, 1922. 
by JEANNE DuVAL 



©CI.A681827 

AUG 11 '22 

^0 I 



TO 

MY MOTHER 




N publishing 'The Perfect Gift," 
I wish to acknowledge the kind- 
ness of my friend, Mr. Edward 
Brigham, through whose collabor- 
ation the poem has been improved since 
it was written several years ago. It is in 
the form in which Mr. Brigham has given 
it to the World through his wonderful 
Dramatic Art. 



Jeanne DuVal. 



Glen Echo. 
April tenth, 
Nineteen twenty-two. 



THE PERFECT GIFT 




ISE men have told that once in ages past, 
Three souls were sent from out the Spirit-land 
To seek through all the world a gift to find 
More beautiful than all things else on Earth; 
Fair as the light of morning on the hills. 
And changeless as the glory of the sun; 
A gift to make of Earth a paradise, 
And lift the hearts of all men nearer Heaven; 
And if the priceless gift at length were found 
They should appear before the Father's throne, 
And with great reverence place it at His feet 
While angel hosts should chant their victory. 



THE PERFECT GIFT 

Then sweetly sang the choir of Heaven farewell 
As through the gates the eager spirits passed. 
And for long days the angels then did watch, 
And wondered much if from the land of Earth 
The three would ever bring a wondrous gift 
As perfect as the one the Father asked. 
And while they watched the first pure soul returned, 
Amid long rays of upward streaming light, 
And passed with pride of a great trust fulfilled 
The aisles so bright where waiting angels stood, 
As clasped within her hands she held her gift 
And placed it then before the Father's throne, 
While angels gazed in wondering silence there 
Upon the marvel of a beauteous rose. 



lO 



THE PERFECT GIFT 

The Spirit spoke: *T walked the paths of men, 

And I have found the world surpassing fair; 

Broad plains of green and fields of ripening grain 

Swept by the winds there ripple like the sea: 

And through the forest solitudes I've walked 

Amid the glory of the autumn leaves; 

And in the gardens of the world I saw 

The flowers that Heavenly gardens never grow, 

Lilies as white and spotless as the snow, 

Pansies and rosemary and scented rue: 

And those who work among the flowers grow pure 

And by their influence are nearer Heaven; 

And of those flowers so delicate and fair 

The rose, by all mankind, is counted queen." 



II 



THE PERFECT GIFT 

E'en as she spoke, of this the queen of flowers 
The briefly numbered days had run their course, 
And gently then its petals one by one 
Fell slowly from the slender stem apart; 
And when she saw her gift had something lacked. 
By this quick ending of its span of life. 
The Spirit sadly bowed her head and wept. 
Wept for the long days of the Earthly quest 
That ended but with thorns and petals strewn. 
And, grieved for her, the angel choir was mute. 



12 



THE PERFECT GIFT 

In patience long the angels watched again 

Until one day mid glories of the dawn, 

That seemed reflections from the Father's throne, 

The second Spirit joined the Heavenly host. 

Among the throng she walked in silent peace 

Her face transfigured by a holy joy. 

And close within her circling arms she held 

A little child that looked at her and smiled, 

With awe the other angels saw her pass 

And listened as she spoke before the throne: — 

"For many months I walked the Earth and sought 

In many countries and in many climes. 

And truly there is nothing found more pure. 

More full of truth and gladness than a child; 

For little children's sake some nobler grow, 

And by a child have men been brought to Heaven; 

A child can lead them when all others fail, 

And turn their hearts again toward the right." 



13 



THE PERFECT GIFT 

The Father spake: "Thy words are sweet and true, 
The children's Hves can fill the world with joy; 
But one more thing you took not time to prove, 
Go thou to Earth again and wait a space." 
Through passing years the Spirit watched the child 
And in great sadness saw him slowly change; 
The infant smile grew into lines of care, 
And grief and sin had shadowed mind and heart. 
The joy within her eyes then dimmed with tears, 
The Spirit left a blessing with the child; 
And in great sorrow she returned to Heaven, 
While still the waiting angel choir was mute. 



14 



THE PERFECT GIFT 

For many years the third soul stayed on Earth 

Yet in the courts of Heaven it seemed not long. 

At length she came, and in her eyes were tears, 

But still her mind was calm with noble thoughts. 

"I came not over-soon; I waited long 

To be assured I had not judged in vain; 

And now unto the Father do I bring 

A priceless treasure from the world of men. 

The best and purest of all Earthly gifts 

That changes not though all the world may change.** 



15 



THE PERFECT GIFT 

Then through the throng of waiting angels came 
A woman, walking slowly, with bowed head; 
Deep lines of care and suffering marked her brow 
And silver threads were woven through her hair; 
Before the Father's throne she knelt in prayer, 
In fervent, heartfelt prayer for those on Earth. 
The angels turned toward the entrance gates. 
And Lo! the gates unbarred and opened wide. 
And even as the waiting angels looked 
There entered in a man in youthful strength. 
His face was marred by sin and bitter shame, 
But over all a great repentance showed. 
With joy he came, and by the woman's side 
He knelt in reverent awe, and gently said: — 
**0 Father, by her prayers I come to Thee, 
Her love has been the noblest thing on Earth; 
My Mother's love has brought me to Thy throne, 
Yes, by her love have I been led to Thee." 
Into the mother's face there swept a light 
Of wondrous joy, and rest, and perfect peace; 
And sweet and far the Angel Hosts then sang 
Glad songs of praise, and faith and boundless love. 

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